Family visit

At the end of June we had a visit from my family - Mum, Dad and little sis - which gave me ample opportunity to get some sightseeing done. Here they are:

On Sunday we visited the Welsh Mountain Zoo. Although a bit chilly it was a good day out. Highlights for me were the sealions and penguins. The family got more excited about seeing a wild rabbit in the car park than any of the carefully laid on attractions but never mind ;)

Taking a very long route through the mountains to see the scenery we ended up eventually at Portmeirion on the Tuesday. Very strange place with weird coloured buildings but a nice day out. No big white balls chased after us - almost disappointing!

Other highlights of the week were a trip to Manchester to catch the rescheduled Police concert (very good although they definitely looked old!) and lunch by the pier. The family also checked out Llandudno and Chester on days when I had to work.

All in all it was a lovely week and nice to have the family over to stay in our world for a few days.

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

One of the nicest things about living on the island is the close proximity of beaches. A couple of weeks ago (not terribly good at keeping up to date with this blog thing I know but once the thesis is done I'll be better) I got a call from Ben at about 4pm on a lovely sunny Monday to say he, Laurie and Sian were bored and had decided to go to the beach.

Half an hour later we were all strolling along by the sea at Cable Bay, eating ice cream, avoiding jellyfish and giggling inappropriately at a naked man emerging from the sea. Bliss :)

Bank Holiday fun

After the disappointment of the last Bank Holiday (glorious on Saturday and Monday while I was at work and pouring down on the Sunday when I was off!) we had our fingers crossed for better weather this time around as I had 2 days off and we wanted to make the most of them. Despite a strong wind though it was fairly warm and we had 2 lovely days together.

On Sunday we drove to Llandudno for some seaside fun. We walked along the beach and down the pier, wandered through the shops, ate delicious fish and chips on the front then up a little of the Great Orme to check out the view.

On the Monday we took a very roundabout trip (by which I mean we got lost several times) to Trearddur Bay. Ice creams and a long walk around the bay were the order of the day this time. You can judge the level of the wind from my hair 'do' :)

Damned Anglesey weather

Apologies for the lack of postings blog watchers. I've been rather bogged down with work and thesis. I've taken to reading some other blogs though and now know how irritating it is when you want to read new posts and there aren't any. Not that I would presume that anyone is that interested but I like to pretend to myself that maybe people are ;) Anywho I'll do my best to keep up to date from now on.

So now I work in a shop I don't get much time off at weekends (1 Sunday in 3 to be precise). This Sunday gone was my day off and we planned to go out and make the most of it. The weather on Saturday was glorious or so I was told by the people of Bangor who came in to buy shoes. I was full of hope that Sunday would be a beautiful day and we'd have a lovely Welsh adventure (despite the warnings of the BBC). Of course it was not to be. We awoke to grey skies and decided if we were going out we'd best do it pronto. We headed off to Anglesey sea zoo. Entertaining for an hour or so but in our humble opinion not really worth the entry fee. Something to tick off the list though. As we drove away the rain started. At first it was not too heavy and we decided that we would dig out the anorak (Ben) and funky dome umbrella (me) from the boot and go to the beach anyway. The heavens then opened and it rained like I've not seen in a long time. There was nothing to do but head back home :( By about 5 the sun did make it out and we went for a walk but it was not the fabulous day in the sun that I had envisaged. The next day was Bank Holiday Monday and again glorious sunshine was upon us but I was at work. Boo!

A new era for Bangor

The new Debenhams in Bangor (and my place of work) opened with a flurry of excitement on Tuesday. There was a huge queue waiting for the ribbon to be cut at 10am and I was dying to know what was in the free goody bags that were being handed out. A slow start for us on the shoe department with many people 'just browsing' but people were impressed nonetheless. I lost count of the number of people who told me how beautiful the new store was and how nice it was to have a shop this good in Bangor. I must say I agree. Debenhams is the first into what is going to be a small shopping centre and, by the look of the signage thats gone up outside, River Island and Body Shop will soon be joining us. Finally I can really shop!

In other news I finally found a dentist. Tragically the local NHS dentist has a 2 year waiting list and none of the Denplan dentists are taking new patients so I find myself in the somewhat luxurious and definitely expensive position of 'going private'. I rang round a few and was shocked and appalled by the prices. Initial consultations ranged from £45 (which I initially baulked at) to £80!! Just to look at the teeth and take a few X-rays! My Teesside self died as I rang back Mr £45 to make an appointment. And that appointment was this morning. The dentist was nice enough and got rid of a few stains but didn't actually even clean my teeth! Apparently I need to pay an extra £35 to get the hygienist to do it! When I baulked once again at this suggestion he promised it would be the best clean ever and I would really be able to see the difference. I'll let you know if he's right.....

I got a job!

I finally managed to get a job! Perhaps not a classic move for a former PhD student but I am now a very happy store assistant in the shoe department at the new Debenhams in Bangor. I've been training this week and next week we get to play with the stock before opening the week after. Yay me!

Not quite the tempest we expected

Well the 'storm' was frankly disappointing! It did sound quite windy and rainy last night but no thunder or lightening. Good for the ferry port I'm sure but as a spectator it was quite dull :(